It is estimated that there are around 11 million refugees in the world today. According to the United Nations a refugee is; “anyone who flees their home country due to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.”

Quick facts on Refugees

A majority of refugees in the world today are from Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and Iraq while some of the countries that host most refugees include Guinea, Jordan, Iran, Syria and Pakistan. It is also worth noting that about 70% of the 11 million refugees are in the Middle East and Africa.

Clearly, the refugee issue is serious and there is need of help for refugees. Many all around the world need help since the majority of countries which have the refugees are also struggling themselves. Perhaps the one body that tries to help refugees to live better is the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR).

As it has been highlighted above, the help for refugees that is currently available is not enough to fully meet the needs of all the refugees in the world. Though this is the case, you can help too. So how exactly can you get to help the migrant and refugee community?

If you are in one of those countries where refugees have resettled to rebuild their lives, there is a lot you can do. Help for refugees goes beyond just the usual provision of food, water and shelter. Perhaps the best way that you can be of help to the migrant and refugee community is by creating a supportive and welcoming environment for them. One way of doing this is by contacting refugee services in your area and getting to learn if there is anything you can do. It needs not to be so complex, just a smile and a warm welcome will do wonders.

The world refugee day on 20th June every year is one day that you can raise awareness about in your area. This way you can help set up fundraising events within your community to help raise funds help support the migrant and refugee community.

Other than this you can also raise public awareness on the issue of refugees. This is by encouraging the local media to cover issues on refugees.

Other than helping out on the local front, you can also help refugees on a global scene. You can do this by supporting the work of UNHCR which has offices in over 120 countries. It also caters to tens of millions refugees all over the world. You can do this by donating to UNHCR. Other than this, you can offer to be a volunteer.

There’s so much you can do to help the migrant and refugee community. By simply helping, no matter how small you may assume your contribution to be, it will make a difference. Now that you know just how you can get help for refugees take a little time today off your busy schedule and help a refugee smile.